Willy Nillie's Barnstormer Biplane

[Willy Nillies]

Alright! Yep, down thrust and you've got a winner! It really slows down nice and putts around at low power settings, nice!

Jon - Check you email! You've completed the build off requirements and your award has been sent!

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky
WillyNillies.com

 

[rockyboy]

Thanks Doug! Very happy to turn that into another kit! Wonder what else we can bash together... maybe a canard hiding in one of those planes...

 

[TooJung2Die]

It's not tail heavy; it's super pitch sensitive... Good job on the sticks getting her down in one piece the first flight.

 

[rockyboy]

It's not tail heavy; it's super pitch sensitive... Good job on the sticks getting her down in one piece the first flight.

Second flight with an extra 1/2 ounce of lead on the nose was stable yet "pitch responsive" - but that first flight I was chasing her rather than flying her

 

[rockyboy]

Alright! Yep, down thrust and you've got a winner! It really slows down nice and putts around at low power settings, nice!

Jon - Check you email! You've completed the build off requirements and your award has been sent!

Sincerely,
Doug and Becky
WillyNillies.com

Was looking around at inspiration photos and ran across this Skylark variation ...

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=1843

And even a 1s version! Nice covering scheme on this one too...

Hmm....

 

[Piotrsko]

OMG a heathkit RC $ystem. I had one of those, once. Is this the midsize late 70's Falcon?

 

[rockyboy]

OMG a heathkit RC $ystem. I had one of those, once. Is this the midsize late 70's Falcon?

Goldberg did this 56" Twin Skylark in the mid-70's but I haven't been able to find a twin Falcon yet - if anyone finds one please share!

I'm not even done with my current Cap 232 project and already excited for this build! I gotta pace myself a little better

 

[Wildthing]

Second flight with an extra 1/2 ounce of lead on the nose was stable yet "pitch responsive" - but that first flight I was chasing her rather than flying her

Those are always the fun flights, I got it up now can I get it down in one piece.

 

[Turbojoe]

Was looking around at inspiration photos and ran across this Skylark variation ...

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=1843

And even a 1s version! Nice covering scheme on this one too...

Hmm....

I LOVE twins and the twin version of the Skylark is on the plans. I just remember way back when that the local guys that built the twin said that all the twin added to the flying experience was weight and fuel consumption. Most converted back to single. That sucks because it looks good as a twin. I'll bet at this lighter weight and electric it'll make a much better twin.

Joe

 

[Turbojoe]

Great to see the bipe maiden. I'm sure you'll get her calmed down soon. I hope it'll end up as a Willy Nillies kit.

Joe

 

[Piotrsko]

The 049 one wasn't all that great because just getting 2 tanked 49's running at the same time was the first hurdle, didn't have remote tanked mods until 75 when they did Jerobee rc cars. They flew like an a Piper Aztec on one running: just enough power to crash.
A Falcon is just an inverted Skylark or vice versa. All the parts are mostly the same except for wing saddles.

If it wasn't for the fact I see you do fly them, I'd say your as bad as @bracesport.

 

[Piotrsko]

Outerzone has 56" falcon plans. Build your own nacelles. Couple of C pack motors.......

 

[Michael9865]

Was looking around at inspiration photos and ran across this Skylark variation ...

https://outerzone.co.uk/plan_details.asp?ID=1843

And even a 1s version! Nice covering scheme on this one too...

Hmm....

My Dad flew a Twin Skylark 56 with two Veco 19s on it. It sounded wonderful when they were synced. He flew it through out the 80s until he sold it when he got out of the hobby. It was a great and stable plane.

 

[chris398mx]

Here's a couple close ups of the clamps for everyone who wants to build some.
View attachment 148685 View attachment 148686

I also got a minute before heading to the volleyball game to glue the last fuselage former in place and the rear sheeting part one.
View attachment 148684
View attachment 148687

Thanks for the close up pictures of the clamps. I put some in CAD and printed them. I think they came out pretty good. Printing the other foot as we speak.

 

[Wildthing]

Thanks for the close up pictures of the clamps. I put some in CAD and printed them. I think they came out pretty good. Printing the other foot as we speak.

View attachment 152354

What size of shafts you using? I have some extra 7.5mm arrow shafts I think would work great for this.

 

[chris398mx]

What size of shafts you using? I have some extra 7.5mm arrow shafts I think would work great for this.

They measure 0.265" (6.75mm) Walmart $2 arrows. I could modify the hole for your arrows if you like and post the stl files.

 

[Wildthing]

They measure 0.265" (6.75mm) Walmart $2 arrows. I could modify the hole for your arrows if you like and post the stl files.

Sure, I printed some test pieces when I did my 4XTrouble mounts and 7.9mm gives me a snug but still movable shaft. I do have some flexible filament that I haven't tried out yet that should work for the ends.

 

[rockyboy]

Made it out to the field this morning - winds at zero, temperature just below freezing - a perfect winter day!

First up, here's the amount of down thrust I added - one servo arm carefully inserted behind the top of the Faux motor mount.

In addition to the down thrust, I added another 1/4 oz of weight (up to 1.25oz total now), dialed back the motor to 75% maximum, and added two business cards worth of additional positive incidence on the top wing. Flight performance was better over three additional flights making these adjustments, but she's still very pitchy. However, I only had one more nose over - greased in two smooth landings on the wheels with flight times around 6 minutes. Takeoff's are an adventure though - she banks hard left once she comes off the ground and causes a minor heat attack until she gets enough airspeed so the control surfaces can catch and level her out again.

Right now she's an adrenaline junkies dream with the motor running, and with the motor off she glides sweet and level. That (combined with the takeoff excitement) is telling me there is probably more I need to do with thrust adjustments - perhaps a touch more down and even some right thrust. I also need to take some 2s batteries with me to the field next time too - even with the throttle limited to 75% she is way over powered for the amount of lift these flat bottom wings are putting out!

 

[chris398mx]

Made it out to the field this morning - winds at zero, temperature just below freezing - a perfect winter day!

First up, here's the amount of down thrust I added - one servo arm carefully inserted behind the top of the Faux motor mount.
View attachment 152955

View attachment 152953 View attachment 152954

In addition to the down thrust, I added another 1/4 oz of weight (up to 1.25oz total now), dialed back the motor to 75% maximum, and added two business cards worth of additional positive incidence on the top wing. Flight performance was better over three additional flights making these adjustments, but she's still very pitchy. However, I only had one more nose over - greased in two smooth landings on the wheels with flight times around 6 minutes. Takeoff's are an adventure though - she banks hard left once she comes off the ground and causes a minor heat attack until she gets enough airspeed so the control surfaces can catch and level her out again.

Right now she's an adrenaline junkies dream with the motor running, and with the motor off she glides sweet and level. That (combined with the takeoff excitement) is telling me there is probably more I need to do with thrust adjustments - perhaps a touch more down and even some right thrust. I also need to take some 2s batteries with me to the field next time too - even with the throttle limited to 75% she is way over powered for the amount of lift these flat bottom wings are putting out!

Keep at it and Willie can incorporate all your finding into the kit!!!! I want one.

 

[rockyboy]

Keep at it and Willie can incorporate all your finding into the kit!!!! I want one.

I think the two key things he's already planning to put into the kit version are shorten the tail by an inch, and extend the nose by an inch. And for goodness sake if you build one add some reasonable dihedral to the wings - don't be a stubborn mule like me and insist on flat wings!